Myiophoneus
insularis

Endemic

The Formosan Whistling-Thrush is a large
thrush, about 30-32 cm long. Both sexes are a shiny deep blue that varies
from sapphire to deep purple to black depending on the light. The eye is
red.

Their
preferred habitat is damp, dark ravines in mountain forests near
fast-flowing streams. Along Taiwan’s north coast, they may be found from
sea level to 2400 m elevation, but primarily between 400 and 2100 m
elsewhere. They can sometimes be seen standing on river rocks, slowly
fanning and raising their tails. Their diet includes earthworms, insects,
small frogs, fish, crabs, lizards and snakes.

This
species is fairly common but rather shy, most active at dawn and dusk.
The call is a sharp, loud, high-pitched whistle which has been likened to
the sound of screeching bicycle brakes. The slow, unhurried song is a
mixture of shrill whistles, scratchy notes, melodious phrases and short
trills.

The
nesting season of Formosan Whistling-Thrush begins in April and continues
into July. The nest is a large, shallow cup constructed primarily of
roots, moss and twigs, placed in cavities of trees and rocks, among tree
roots, under bridges, in tunnels and sometimes on man-made objects.
Females lay a clutch of usually two to four eggs that are light pink
sprinkled with brown or grayish spots. Both parents incubate the eggs
and care for the nestlings.